We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices change often: check the retailer. How we make money
For most homes the NordicTrack AirGlide 16 is the cross trainer to buy: a 48.3 cm stride, 26 levels, an incline ramp and a 10-year frame warranty. Taller users and anyone who wants a longer, adjustable stride should look at the NordicTrack X16. On a tighter budget, the ProForm Sport Cross Trainer has the lowest list price of the UK picks and covers the basics with a 40.6 cm stride and 20 levels.
Our picks
- 1Best overall
NordicTrack AirGlide 16 Elliptical
48.3 cm auto-adjustable stride, 26 levels, a -5 to 15 degree incline and a 16-inch tilting touchscreen. Sold by NordicTrack in the UK, Australia and the US.
- 2Best for a long stride
NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
An auto-adjustable stride up to 81.3 cm, a -10% to 10% ramp and a 170 kg user limit, the highest of the NordicTrack picks.
- 3Best budget
ProForm Sport Elliptical
The lowest list price here in the UK, and joint lowest with the Carbon EL in the US, with 20 levels, a 7.3 kg flywheel and a 150 cm footprint.
| Model | NordicTrackNordicTrack AirGlide 16 Elliptical | NordicTrackNordicTrack X16 Elliptical | ProFormProForm Sport Elliptical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stride | 48.3 cm | 81.3 cm | 40.6 cm |
| Levels | 26 | 26 | 20 |
| Max user | 136 kg | 170 kg | 113 kg |
| Length | 178.3 cm | 148.6 cm | 150.1 cm |
| Height | 171.2 cm | 188 cm | 156 cm |
How to choose a cross trainer
- Stride length. This is how far the pedals travel front to back. The picks run from 40.6 cm (ProForm Sport) to 81.3 cm (NordicTrack X16, adjustable). A short stride can feel choppy for tall users, so if you are tall, favour 45 cm and up.
- Resistance levels. More levels means finer steps, not a harder top end. The picks offer 20 to 26.
- Flywheel weight. A heavier flywheel usually feels smoother. ProForm states 7.3 kg for the Sport; NordicTrack does not publish one for these models.
- User limit. A safety rating. It runs from 113 kg (ProForm Sport) to 170 kg (NordicTrack X16).
- Footprint and height. Cross trainers are tall. The X16 stands 188 cm and the AirGlide 16 171.2 cm before you step on, so check the ceiling against your own height plus the highest pedal position.
- Screens. The NordicTrack and ProForm models run iFIT classes; a paid plan unlocks trainer-controlled resistance.
NordicTrack AirGlide 16: best overall
The AirGlide 16 has a 48.3 cm auto-adjustable stride, 26 digital levels and a ramp that moves from -5 to 15 degrees. It has a 16-inch tilting touchscreen for iFIT, holds users up to 136 kg and measures 178.3 cm long, 62.5 cm wide and 171.2 cm tall. NordicTrack gives it a 10-year frame and 2-year parts warranty.
Pros
- Auto-adjustable 48.3 cm stride
- Incline and decline ramp for variety
- 10-year frame warranty
- Sold by NordicTrack in the UK, Australia and the US
Cons
- 136 kg user limit
- Trainer-controlled resistance needs paid iFIT
- NordicTrack does not publish the flywheel weight
NordicTrack X16: best for a long stride
The X16 is for users who want a longer stride or more incline. NordicTrack lists an auto-adjustable stride up to 81.3 cm, 26 levels and a -10% to 10% ramp, with a 170 kg user limit. It is shorter than the AirGlide at 148.6 cm long but taller at 188 cm, which matters in rooms with low ceilings. It has a higher list price than the AirGlide 16 in every market where both are sold.
Pros
- Longest stride of the picks
- 170 kg user limit
- Shortest footprint of the NordicTrack picks at 148.6 cm
Cons
- 188 cm tall, so check your ceiling
- Highest list price of the picks
- 131 kg boxed, so plan the delivery
ProForm Sport Cross Trainer: best budget
ProForm sells the Sport in the UK as the Sport Cross Trainer. It has 20 levels, a 40.6 cm stride and a 7.3 kg flywheel, and holds users up to 113 kg. It measures 150.1 cm long and 156 cm tall, the smallest footprint here. It has the lowest list price of the UK picks, and ProForm gives a 2-year parts, labour and frame guarantee when it is registered within 28 days.
Pros
- Lowest price in this guide
- Smallest footprint here
- Stated 7.3 kg flywheel
Cons
- Short 40.6 cm stride
- 113 kg user limit
- 2-year guarantee, against 10 years on the NordicTrack frames
What is the difference between a cross trainer and an elliptical?
Nothing. Cross trainer is the usual name in the UK and Australia; elliptical is the usual name in the US.
What stride length do I need?
Makers rarely publish a height-to-stride chart, so use the numbers as a guide: the shortest pick here is 40.6 cm and the longest 81.3 cm. Taller users usually prefer 45 cm or more. An auto-adjustable stride, as on the NordicTrack models, changes with your movement.
What is the best cross trainer for a small space?
The ProForm Sport has the smallest footprint here at 150.1 cm long and 64.8 cm wide. The NordicTrack X16 is slightly shorter at 148.6 cm but wider at 74.9 cm and 188 cm tall, so check your ceiling.
Do I need an iFIT subscription?
Not to use the machine. You can set the resistance by hand. A paid iFIT plan adds trainer-led classes that change the resistance and incline for you.
What is the best budget cross trainer in the UK?
Of the models we could verify, the ProForm Sport Cross Trainer, which has the lowest list price of the UK picks. It suits users up to 113 kg and shorter strides; taller users will find the NordicTrack AirGlide 16's 48.3 cm stride more comfortable, though its list price is much higher.
How we chose
We have not tested these machines. We compared the makers' published stride lengths, resistance levels, user limits, dimensions, warranties and list prices in each country, and kept only models the maker sells new in that market. Where a maker does not publish a figure, such as flywheel weight, we leave it blank.
Get price drops on this kit by email
Prices change. We'll email you when one we compare drops, only when it's worth sending.